Open AccessValidity of genito-urinary discharges, genital ulcers and genital rashes as indicators of seroincident HSV-2 infection
Author(s) -
Eziyi Iche Kalu,
Chiedozie Kingsley Ojide,
Victor Nwadike,
Ephraim Ogbaini-Emovon,
Godwin Oguejiofor Chukwuebuka Okafor
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(15)60869-6
Subject(s) - medicine , sex organ , vaginal discharge , genital ulcer , incidence (geometry) , herpes simplex virus , obstetrics , dermatology , gynecology , sexually transmitted disease , immunology , virus , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , syphilis , biology , genetics , physics , optics
Objective: To evaluate the validity of vaginal discharges, urethral discharges, genital rashes,\udand painful genital ulcers as indicators of early detection of incident herpes simplex virus type\ud2 (HSV-2) infection among pregnant women in Benin metropolis.\udMethods: Participants were antenatal clinic attendees of University of Benin Teaching Hospital\udand Central Hospital, Benin. Baseline sociodemographic, obstetric and HSV-2 serological data\udwere collected. The HSV-2-seronegative returned for a repeat HSV-2 antibody assay before\uddelivery date. Data on incidence of genital rashes, abnormal vaginal discharges, painful\udgenital ulcers and urethral discharges were collected.\udResults: The sensitivities of abnormal vaginal discharges, genital rashes, urethral discharges\udand painful genital ulcers were 82.3%, 70.6%, 41.2% and 28.6% respectively; while their\udpositive-predictive values were 53.8%, 60.0%, 58.3% and 66.7% respective. All the symptoms\udhad >95% specificities and 95% negative-predictive values for seroincident HSV-2 infection.\udConclusions: Abnormal vaginal discharge, genital rashes, urethral discharges and genital\udulcers are valid indicators of seroincident HSV-2 infection and could be useful in formulation of\udscreening tools in resource-limited settings